Feb. 2, 2026
By Eva Shrestha
Staff Writer
Only a handful of games stick with me in such a positive way, and Bugsnax is one of them. Released on Nov. 12, 2020, this unique single-player adventure video game offers players an original and exciting experience.
In Bugsnax, the player is a struggling newspaper journalist whom Lizbert, a famous Grumpus explorer, has invited to Snaktooth Island, a newly discovered island, to write an article about the mysterious Bugsnax. The player reaches the island only to find that Lizbert has gone missing and the other Grumpuses who live there are scattered across it because of personal conflicts. It is up to the player to convince all the residents to come back to Snaxburg, the main town, while also figuring out what happened to Lizbert.
Bugsnax are very notable and important creatures in this game, hence the title. Half-bug and half-snack, every Grumpus on Snaktooth Island falls in love with and obsesses over them. These parasitic creatures are a main source of food on this island, aside from the sauces that naturally grow.
Bugsnax is rated E for Everyone, though it features fantasy violence and mild body horror. When a Grumpus consumes a Bugsnax, the “snakmatter” inside the creature triggers a transformation, causing part of the Grumpus’ body to take on the appearance of whatever they just ate. This feature is both amusing and unsettling, giving the game a unique and peculiar charm.
With a variety of tools from the citizens, countless tricks can snag a Bugsnak.
This game does an outstanding job of mixing real-life animals and food to create Bugsnax. For example, the Shishkabug is inspired by an ant and a shish kebab. Every Bugsnak has its own personality, and figuring out how to catch them is part of the experience.
With a variety of tools from the citizens, countless tricks can snag a Bugsnak. Some Bugsnax are easy to catch while others provide a challenge.
Playthrough length varies depending on which ending the player chooses to pursue. Going for the “bad ending,” which skips the characters’ loyalty quests, usually takes about nine hours. In contrast, completing those quests and aiming for the “good ending” extends the game to around 15 hours. Players who also tackle the extra content can easily reach a total playtime of roughly 24 hours.
Although it is a game whose target audience is on the younger side, topics such as addiction, death, depression, diversity, divorce and familial problems are subtly incorporated as well. Many conflicts do not end perfectly, which adds even more depth to the characters.
The amount of plot and passion built into this game is immeasurable. Therefore, even if one plays Bugsnax many times, it never gets old. Each playthrough deepens a player’s understanding and strengthens their love for this whimsical game.
